Drugs Payment Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 May 2015

Thursday, 7 May 2015

Ceisteanna (155)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

155. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the cost of reducing the drugs payment scheme from €144 per month to €130 per month. [18004/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Kathleen Lynch)

The cost of reducing the Drugs Payment Scheme from €144 per month to €130 per month is estimated to be in the region of €8m to €12m per annum. It should be noted that data is generally not available to the Health Service Executive (HSE) regarding family expenditure on drugs and medicines where the amounts are below €144 in a month and hence it is not possible to provide a more precise estimate.